Hearing the first chirp of her alarm, Toni quickly reached over, quieted the clock and turned on the bedside lamp.
“Oh, that’s just rude,” Laura muttered as she snuggled closer. “Turn it off.”
Smiling at her sleepy partner’s pouting tone, Toni whispered, “And a Merry Christmas to you.”
Without opening her eyes, Laura nuzzled her face into Toni’s neck. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Now, let’s go back to sleep.”
“Last night, you said you wanted to get up early. Remember?”
Instantly, Laura was awake. “Shit! What time is it?”
“Relax, it’s just after five. We have plenty of time.”
Scrambling out of bed, Laura ran to the bathroom and before Toni could rub the sleep out of her eyes, Laura came rushing back out. “Are you going to help me?”
With a snort, Toni climbed out of bed. “Can I use the loo first?”
“Yes, but make it quick.”
A few minutes later, they crept down the stairs. Doing their best to be quiet, it seemed the floorboards were conspiring against them, and with every step they took, the old oak squeaked under their feet. Tiptoeing over to Eleanor’s bedroom, Toni listened for signs of life and then gave Laura a thumbs-up. Standing guard at the door in case anyone awoke, Toni watched as Laura ran to and fro completing the task she had started the night before.
“What do you think?” Laura whispered.
Looking around the lounge, Toni grinned. “I think we should go back to bed. Come on.”
Tiptoeing up the stairs, they returned to their bedroom, and after quietly latching the door, Toni let out a big yawn before climbing under the quilt. Waiting until Laura snuggled up against her, Toni reached for the lamp and said, “The way I see it, we still have at least two more hours of sleep coming to us.”
Nestling close, Laura draped her leg over Toni’s. “So I guess that means you’re tired.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t be?” Toni asked, giving Laura a sideways glance.
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“Well, I thought maybe we could start our own tradition,” Laura said, placing her hand on Toni’s breast. “But it all depends on how sore you are because I wouldn’t want to...hurt you.”
Chuckling to herself, Toni pulled her hand away from the lamp, and within seconds, Laura was straddling her hips. Looking up at her lustful partner, Toni whispered, “Laura?”
“Yeah?”
“Hurt me...but do it quietly.”
Smiling, Laura leaned in for a kiss, and as their lips met, the world stood still. Aches and pains were dissolved by love and need, and as fingers meshed, bodies molded, and Christmas morning was lost in the passion of two becoming one.
The squeaky bed frame made not a sound for their movements were slow and tender as fingers found flesh, and as clothing was discarded, smiles were born. Curves and swells were fondled and tasted, and kisses turned intoxicating as tongues, warm and moist, simply could not get enough.
With no need to rush, their rhythm was calculated and sensual, and when breathing eventually turned ragged and skin glistened with sweat, their eyes locked. Their carnal waltz was nearing its end as both could feel the quivers deep inside begin to build, and welcoming the inevitable, Toni sat up and Laura wrapped her legs around her waist. Each buried their face into the other’s shoulder, and in silence, they gave themselves to it. The softest of moans slipped from their lips, and shuddering in each other’s arms, they held on tight until the last spasm of rapture had passed.
Slowly, they parted, and after placing a feathery kiss on Laura’s lips, Toni laid back and Laura quickly cuddled in alongside her. After covering their nakedness with the quilt, Toni whispered, “I’m really starting to like all these traditions of yours.”
“Good to know,” Laura murmured as she snuggled in even closer.
Leaning over, Toni flicked off the lamp and then kissed Laura on the top of her head. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
***
“Merry Christmas,” Bill said, waking Eleanor with a kiss.
Smiling, she breathed in his scent. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. What time is it?”
“Half-seven, so if you want to make it to nine o’clock service, you’d best get up.”
Giving him a quick kiss on the lips, Eleanor climbed out of bed and grabbed her robe. “I’ll go brew some coffee if you want to shower first.”
“We could shower together.”
“Not if we want to make service on time. Now get moving. I’ll make sure Laura’s awake.”
Shuffling out of the bedroom, Eleanor made her way through the darkened lounge, and flicking on the kitchen light, went about making a pot of coffee. Filling two mugs, she slowly made her way back to the bedroom, but halfway through the lounge, something caught her eye. Turning on a table lamp, she blinked to clear the spots…and then nearly dropped the coffee.
“Oh my,” she whispered. Placing the mugs on a nearby table, Eleanor sat on the arm of the sofa as she looked around the room. After several minutes, she managed to stop her tears, and drying her eyes, she picked up the coffee and headed back to the bedroom.
“There you are,” Bill said, stepping into his trousers. “I thought you got lost.”
“Sorry, I got distracted,” Eleanor said quietly.
“You okay?”
“I’m wonderful, but I forgot to wake up the girls. Care to go up and rap on their door?”
“Sure, no problem,” Bill said as he fastened the last button on his shirt.
Taking his coffee, he kissed her quickly on the cheek before he left the room, and counting to ten, Eleanor took a deep breath and quietly followed him. As she expected, he hadn’t made it far.
Standing only a few feet from the bedroom door, Bill had stopped in his tracks near a table displaying the first of many handmade Christmas cards…all of which were addressed to him.
Walking over to the nearest, he paused for only a moment before picking it up, and in an instant, his eyes filled with tears. Drawn in crayon on the front was a stick figure family of three standing under a disproportionate, blue Christmas tree. Smiling softly at the childish artwork, he held his breath as he opened the card. Inside, in letters sloppily written as if by a child, he read the words, “Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
“Oh, Christ,” he said, covering his mouth as tears rolled down his face. “Oh…dear…God.”
Noticing Bill beginning to sway, Eleanor rushed over, and putting her arm around him, guided him to a chair. “I think you had better sit down for a minute.”
“Did you know?” he asked.
“I had no idea,” she said, sitting on the arm of the chair. “That’s why it took me so long to get back to the bedroom. If I had walked in crying my eyes out, you wouldn’t have been surprised.”
Reaching out, he took another from the table. Similar to the first, it showed another family of three, but this time, instead of standing under a Christmas tree, they were surrounded by bunnies wearing red and green bows. Chuckling at the humor, he opened the card expecting to see more levity, but when he read the words “I love you, Dad," written on the inside, he began to cry even harder.
Wrapping her arm around his shoulders, Eleanor pulled him close, and knowing no words were needed, she remained silent. Hearing a floorboard creak, she looked up to see Laura standing in the doorway, and smiling at her daughter, Eleanor mouthed the words “I love you” before returning her attention to William. Watching as he traced a misshapen bunny with his finger, she said, “I’d have to say she was never much of an artist.”
Shaking his head, he sniffled back a tear. “It’s the most beautiful card I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m glad you like it, Dad.”
Hearing the endearment he never thought he would hear, Bill wept openly. Looking up, he saw his daughter standing across the room, and taking a deep, ragged breath, he stood on shaky legs. It took only seconds to reach her, but when he did, Bill suddenly had no idea what to do.
Sensing his hesitation, Laura opened her arms. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
Bill fell into Laura’s arms and held on tight. “Oh, Laura, I love you so much. I’m so sorry for what I did. I’m so sorry for walking away. Oh dear God, I love you so much. I love you so much.”
Toni stood on the stairs, looking on with tears in her eyes. The night before, sitting on the edge of the bed, she had watched Laura draw trees of blue and orange and stick-figured people with curly hair and smiling faces. She had looked on with amusement while Laura, determined to make the cards appear as if written by a child, used her left hand to draw most, and when Toni read the sentiments inside, she cried, for Laura had finally spoken the words of her heart.
Catching Eleanor’s eye, Toni motioned toward the kitchen, and with a nod, Eleanor quietly walked past the two people still hugging under the mistletoe.
As Toni headed to the coffeepot, Eleanor wiped a tear from her cheek. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
“No, it was Laura’s idea. She spent half the night writing them...one for every year he missed,” Toni said, pouring herself some coffee. “Do you want a cup?”
“Actually, if it’s all the same to you, what I’d really like is a hug. That is, if you don’t mind.”
Toni put aside the coffee, and walking over, she wrapped her arms around Eleanor. “I don’t mind at all, Eleanor. I don’t mind at all.”
***
Hearing the back door open, Toni smiled at Bill as he made his way to the bench, and unlike the first time they had met outside for a smoke, this time he didn’t ask before sitting down next to her.
“They’re going to start talking if we keep meeting like this,” he said, pulling his pipe from his pocket.
“Sorry, Bill, you’re not my flavor.”
Grinning, he said, “Thanks for coming to morning service with us.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You did rather well for it being so crowded.”
“What did you think I’d do? Run, screaming in terror?”
“Wasn’t sure,” he said with a shrug. “But those blue-haired old ladies scare the shit out of me.”
Throwing back her head, Toni burst out laughing. Taking a few moments to get herself under control, she said, “Thanks, I needed that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just a bit nervous about today. That’s all.”
“Oh? Can I ask why? It’s not like you haven’t met them all before, and if you’re worried about Alice, don’t be. She won’t be here.”
“What? Why?”
“Dorothy called this morning while you and Laura were getting ready for church. Alice decided that it was best that she spend the day alone with her girls, so they had their Christmas celebration last night. Emma, her oldest, is apparently asking a lot of questions and this will give Alice more time to talk to her without all of us being around.”
“Shit,” Toni said under her breath.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t you dare blame yourself for her not being here today.”
“Well, if it wasn’t for me—”
“If it wasn’t for you, none of us would know what kind of man Ron is, and Alice and her children would still be living with the son of a bitch. You’re the reason they’re not. You’re the reason they’re safe.”
Toni flinched, her eyebrows drawing together as Bill’s words nestled into the crevices of her mind, and then Laura’s favorite phrase popped into her head. Give me a reason.
How many times had Toni asked herself why? How many times had she looked for the reason? Sitting alone in her cell, covered in bruises and blood, she had talked to God. She had asked him so many times—why? Why her? If she had made a left in her life, instead of a right, would things have been different? Would a no instead of a yes have changed her path so drastically that Alice and her children would have eventually felt the sting of Cameron’s belt? Was this the reason Toni had been looking for, or only another question that would never be answered? Is there really a reason for everything?
“Are you okay, Toni?”
“Huh?”
“You have an odd look on your face.”
“Oh, sorry…just thinking about something.”
“Should I ask?”
With a snort, Toni shook her head. “Not unless you want to be confused.”
“Hey, you two, Dorothy and Bernard just pulled up,” Eleanor called from the back door.
“We’re coming,” Bill said, tapping what remained of the tobacco in his pipe into an empty planter. Offering his hand to Toni, he said, “Come on, time to greet the family.”
Taking the last drag of her cigarette, Toni flicked it into the planter and took his hand. “I’ve got nothing to fear, right?”
“That depends,” Bill said, looking her in the eye as she stood up.
“On what?”
“On whether they brought Myles or left him at home.”
***
By the time Bill and Toni reached the front hall, Laura was busy hanging up Dorothy’s coat while Eleanor carried bags filled with gifts into the lounge.
“Merry Christmas, Dot,” Bill said, giving his niece a kiss on the cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Bill,” she said, returning his affection. “Merry Christmas, Toni.”
“Hi,” Toni said, and then running her fingers through her hair, she sighed. “Um...I mean, Merry Christmas.”
Sensing the woman’s nervousness, Dorothy held out her hand and smiled. “With all that went on the other day, I don’t believe we were ever properly introduced. Dorothy Montgomery-Smythe.”
Pausing for only a moment, Toni shook the woman’s hand. “Toni Vaughn.”
Suddenly, the front door banged open and a little boy with curly red hair ran inside. Two steps behind was Bernard, and offering everyone a very quick “Merry Christmas,” he continued to chase his son into the lounge.
“I’m afraid that’s Myles,” Dorothy said with a snicker as she picked up the infant carrier by her leg. “And this is Neville.”
“And I’m going to snatch him away from you right now, if that’s all right,” Eleanor said returning to the group gathered by the door.
“Be my guest, Eleanor, but I warn you, he may be wet.”
“I’ll take my chances,” she said, taking the carrier from Dorothy’s hand. “We’ll be in the lounge if you need us.”
“Right, well, he’s playing with my phone, so that should keep him quiet for a few minutes,” Bernard said, coming back into the front hall. Placing his coat in Laura’s outstretched hand, he smiled at Toni. “And how are you doing today?”
“I’m okay.”
“Any problems breathing? Any coughing?”
“No, I feel fine.”
Cocking his head to the side, he glanced at Laura for a moment, and when she nodded, he let out a breath. “Well, that’s good to hear. You’re a very lucky woman, Toni.”
“Yes, I am,” Toni said, taking a step in his direction. “I...I didn’t get a chance to thank you for all you did the other day. I’m still a bit fuzzy on what actually happened, but Laura tells me you’re one of the reasons I’m standing here today.” Holding out her hand, Toni said, “And I just wanted to say thank you.”
Bernard’s face brightened to almost a blinding intensity as he took her hand. “You are very welcome, Toni. Very, very welcome.” As the handshake ended, he noticed the bandage peeking out from under the sleeve of her shirt, and ever so gently, he touched the gauze. “I’d like to take a look at that today, if you don’t mind.”
“Stop being so grabby, Bernard. We have all day for that,” Dorothy said with a wave of her hand. “I don’t know about either of you, but I could use a cup of coffee. Kitchen’s through here, isn’t it?” Not waiting for an answer, she sashayed past everyone and disappeared through the doorway.
Smiling at his wife’s overt attempt at haughtiness, Bernard shook his head. “I’d better go check on Myles.”
“I think I’ll join you,” Bill chimed in as he headed into the lounge. “The way these two are talking, I seriously need to start getting used to being around children.”
“Laura, could you come here for a moment?” Eleanor called from the lounge.
“Sure,” Laura said. Stopping at Toni’s side, she touched her hand. “You going to be okay if I leave you alone?”
“I’m fine. Go see what your mum wants. I’m going to get some more coffee.”
“All right, sweetheart. Call me if you need me.”
Dorothy was just filling a cup when Toni came into the kitchen, and offering it to Toni, she said, “I’m sorry about Bernard going all doctor on you. He truly does mean well. As a matter of fact, between you and me, ever since the other night he’s been a changed man.”
“How so?” Toni asked, taking the coffee.
“It’s been a long time since he’s actually had to practice medicine, but after what happened the other day...well, let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if before too long he turns in his executive office for a white coat and a stethoscope.”
For the first time, Toni noticed Dorothy’s appearance. Clothes designed by men with hyphenated names had been replaced by a casual dark green sweater over straight-legged jeans. Her red hair, that two days earlier had been piled high atop her head, was now hanging down her back in a ponytail, and instead of a dozen bracelets of gold jangling on her wrist, only one small gold chain could be seen.
“How come I think that you’re okay with that?” Toni asked.
“Probably, because I am,” she said, taking a sip of coffee. “Don’t get me wrong. I always enjoyed going to all the conferences and parties, but after the other day, I started thinking about a few things. I’ve decided that being a good mother is more important than being on the cover of society magazines. I have no idea what made Ron the way he is, but I’m going to make sure that my boys grow up knowing right from wrong. I have no doubt that poor Myles is going to have a problem learning that he no longer rules the household, but I think I have enough time to correct the mistakes I’ve made with him.”
“Is he really that—”
Toni was interrupted by the three-year-old boy racing through the kitchen. Circling the center island, he ran between her legs and then his mother’s, all the while giggling and laughing as he held his father’s mobile in his hand.
“Myles, give me back my phone,” Bernard demanded, running into the kitchen.
“I thought you said he could play with it,” Dorothy said, watching with amusement as her son darted past his father and ran through the house.
“I forgot to lock the bloody keypad, and I’m fairly certain he just called someone in Japan!” Bernard said before quickly running after his son.
Both women laughed at the man’s predicament, and as Dorothy refilled her coffee cup, Toni walked to the cooker and checked on the soup that had been simmering all morning.
Leaning against the counter, Dorothy studied the woman for a minute. “So, Peggy tells me that you and Laura plan to have children. Yes?”
Looking up, Toni smiled. “Yes, Laura wants children.”
“And how about you?”
“I want what Laura wants. I actually never thought about having kids before…um…when I was younger, and honestly, I don’t know the first thing about raising a child, but I’m willing to learn.”
“Well, I should warn you that when we were growing up, Laura always said she wanted to have a house full of kids. Back then, I think the magic number was six.”
Toni raised her eyes to Dorothy’s for only a second, but it was enough to make Dorothy erupt into laughter. “Oh, you poor woman.”
Tickled by the woman’s reaction, Toni said, “Well, between you and me, I’m hoping she’ll come to her senses.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then I guess we’ll have six,” Toni said without missing a beat. “Whatever Laura wants, whatever I can give her...I will.”
“Then how about giving me a kiss?” Laura asked from the doorway.
Instantly, Toni’s face split into a grin, and placing the lid back on the soup, she casually strolled over and kissed Laura tenderly on the lips.
Rolling her eyes at the sight of the two women embracing, Dorothy said, “I’ve accepted the fact that you’re gay, Laura, but could you keep the snogging sessions to a minimum until I’ve had at least another two or three cups of coffee?”
***
“Thanks for helping me make dessert,” Laura said, closing the refrigerator door. “We tried to get everything done yesterday, but we ran out of time.”
“No worries,” Dorothy said, tidying the counter. “A Christmas without Crannachan just wouldn’t be Christmas.”
“I totally agree.”
“It’s a shame Alice won’t be here. It’s her favorite.”
Laura frowned, and after pausing for a moment, she asked, “Dot, how’s she doing?”
“She’s actually doing okay, all things considered.”
“Has she heard from Ron?”
“No, not so much as a peep, and if he does try to contact her, we’ll know it.”
“Why?”
“Because she had her mobile disconnected, and we’ve moved her into our guest house. Since our property is gated, Ron would have to go through us to see her...and we won’t allow that to happen. She’s absolutely terrified of him, Laura, and since she can’t even go back to work because he could find her there, this gives her a place to call her own and as much time as she needs to get things sorted without having to worry about money or bills.”
“Oh, shit! I never even thought about her job. Dot, if there’s anything I can do. If there’s anything she needs—”
“Laura, relax. You’re acting like you’re somehow responsible for this and you’re not,” Dorothy said, placing her hands on her hips. “We all love Alice and she’s not going to want for anything. I guarantee it. It’s just going to take some time.”
“Yeah, I suppose, but she should be here. I just feel bad that—”
“Trust me, Laura. She’s where she wants to be today, and if she found out that you were moping about, she’d feel dreadful. Now please, let’s just enjoy the day because that’s what Alice would want us to do. All right?”
Thinking for a minute, Laura said, “Okay, but do you think she’d mind if we called her later?”
“I was planning on it,” Dorothy said as she picked up her coffee cup. Seeing the dregs that remained, she glanced at her watch and then back at her cousin. “You know, Laura...it’s almost noon.”
Laura looked at the coffee pot and then at the bottles of wine lined up on the counter. “Red or white?”
“White, I think. It’s still early,” Dorothy said, pouring what remained of her coffee in the sink.
A few minutes later, with glasses of Chardonnay in hand, they sat at the kitchen table. Sipping her wine, Dorothy watched as Laura’s eyes drifted to the woman sitting outside on the patio smoking a cigarette.
“So, when exactly did you decide to take a walk on the wild side?” Dorothy asked, breaking the silence.
“Sorry?”
Pointing out the window, Dorothy said, “I seem to remember that you used to like them a bit more…well, masculine, shall we say.”
“Things change, I guess,” Laura said with a shrug.
“You go from straight to gay and all you can say is things change?”
“I fell in love with her, Dot. I didn’t plan it, it just happened, but I’m happy. Actually, I’m beyond happy.”
“I can see that,” Dorothy said. Noticing the ring on Laura’s finger, she said, “And that’s quite a marvelous ring you’ve got there. Congratulations, by the way. Peggy told me.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope we’ll be invited.”
“Of course, but don’t expect anything lavish. It’s going to be a small wedding.”
“You used to want a big one.”
“True, but I also used to want a man.”
“Good point,” Dorothy said, clinking her glass against Laura’s before she took a sip. Glancing out the window at the woman sitting on the bench, Dorothy said, “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Toni’s been through hell, hasn’t she?”
“Yeah, she has,” Laura said softly.
“Well, you know Bernard knows a lot of doctors—”
“Thanks, but she’s already seeing a doctor. My friend, Abby, is a psychologist.”
“I was actually talking about plastic surgery. It could help cover up some of those scars on her back.” Seeing Laura’s eyes widen, Dorothy said, “I saw them the other day. Everyone did.”
“Oh, I forgot about that,” Laura said, slouching in her chair.
Again, Dorothy’s eyes were drawn to Toni. She looked so normal...so intact, like the only weight on her shoulders was from the jacket she wore, but Dorothy had heard the story, and she had seen the scars. A vision of the buckle flashed through her mind, and squeezing her eyes shut for a second, she willed it away. “I can’t begin to imagine how she survived that,” she said in a whisper.
The smallest of smiles appeared on Laura’s face. “She’s a lot stronger than she appears at times...and quite stubborn.”
Knowing her cousin all too well, Dorothy let out a laugh. “Oh, I’d love to be a fly on the wall of your house when you two get into a row.”
Before Laura could speak, the back door opened and Toni came inside. Seeing the two women sitting at the table, she grinned. “Let me guess. Swapping recipes?”
“No, we were talking about you if you must know,” Laura said, getting to her feet to give Toni a quick peck on the cheek.
“An intriguing subject, am I?” Toni asked, looking at Dorothy.
Pressing her tongue against the inside of her cheek, a devilish look came into Dorothy’s eyes. “Well, we haven’t had time to get to the really juicy parts, so I’ll have to get back to you on that one.”
***
Less than an hour later, Nancy, Peggy, Stephen and their two sons, Paul and Gavin, arrived. Unlike their out-of-control cousin, Myles, the two little boys stood quietly at their parents’ sides as all the introductions were made. Politely giving small kisses and hugs to everyone, when their father suggested that they play in the lounge, they eagerly took his hand as he led the way.
Waiting in the doorway, Peggy watched as Stephen and the boys began assembling a new train set, and then catching the eyes of her sister and cousin, she gestured toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, the three women sat around the kitchen table enjoying a few minutes of quiet time.
As Dorothy refilled her wine, she glanced at Laura and unable to contain herself any longer, she blurted, “So...what’s it like?”
Laura’s cheeks heated immediately. Looking back and forth between her two cousins, their smiles said it all. “Please tell me you’re not asking for details,” Laura groaned.
“Well, I’d ask you to draw us a picture, but after seeing your attempt at artwork on those cards in the lounge, I doubt that would help,” Dorothy said, sending a wink in her sister’s direction.
“Dorothy, stop, you’re embarrassing her,” Peggy said, trying to hold back her grin. “Besides, from what Laura has told me, Toni’s been gay a lot longer than her. If Laura doesn’t want to share, perhaps Toni will. I mean, she probably knows lots of...um...things. Don’t you think?”
The memory of Toni’s lesson in the bathtub came rushing back, and sitting up straight, Laura blurted, “Oh, no, you don’t.”
Dorothy quickly glanced at her sister and winked. “Hit a nerve, did we, Laura?”
“You two need to behave. I’ve never asked you to give me any intimate details about your partners.”
“Our partners were men. Yours is a woman, and that’s new and different, and...interesting,” Dorothy said, leaning closer.
“What’s interesting?” Toni asked as she came into the kitchen.
“Nothing, sweetheart,” Laura said quickly. “Nothing at all.”
Dismissing Laura with a wave of her hand, Dorothy said, “We were just asking Laura what it was like to be with you, and she won’t tell us.”
For a moment, Toni’s eyebrows knitted, but when she saw the playful looks on the faces of Laura’s cousins, she held back her smile and sauntered over to the table.
“Let me guess. You want to know the secrets of lesbian love,” she said in the most provocative tone she could muster. Resting her hands on Laura’s shoulders, she looked at the two very eager women sitting at the table, and placing a soft kiss on the top of Laura’s head, Toni purred, “Darling, tell them whatever you wish. I’m sure they’d be more than interested in knowing about bathtubs and soap...and the like.”
Laura had neglected to use one word when describing her cousins to Toni...and that word was tenacious. Watching as her partner nonchalantly strolled back to the counter to refill her wine, Laura thought about the implications of Toni’s statement, and her cheeks darkened to their deepest. Refusing to look in her cousins’ direction, Laura kept her eyes on Toni, hoping and praying that she would come to her rescue, but when Laura saw the smirk Toni was wearing, she slouched in her chair. She was a goner.
After corking the bottle, Toni looked up, and it was all she could do not to burst out laughing. Three slack-jawed faces were staring back at her, one of which was now the darkest shade of red imaginable. Meandering over to the table, she placed another light kiss on Laura’s head, winked at Dorothy and Peggy and then left the room without saying a word.
Seconds later, Dorothy and Peggy turned to Laura and spoke as one. “Bathtubs?”
Entering the lounge, Toni smiled at the life it held. Three little boys were stretched out on the floor near the Christmas tree, playing with their trains and toys as they chattered away. Bernard and Bill relaxed on the sofa sipping their whisky while Neville slept between them, and Eleanor and Nancy sat near the front windows, tittering at the children’s antics.
Near the fireplace stood Stephen, and watching as he tended to the fire, Toni set her jaw, filled her lungs and strode across the room.
They had exchanged greetings an hour earlier when he had arrived, so when Stephen turned around to find Toni standing behind him, he grinned. “Hey there.”
Wincing at the sight of the bruises on his face, she asked, “How you doing?”
“Me? I’m fine,” Stephen said, rubbing his bruised jaw. “This will be gone in a few days and then all we’ll have left is the memory.”
“Well, I don’t remember much, but I do know you saved my life. I’m...I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to repay you for that, but...but I want to thank you for doing it.”
“You’re welcome,” Stephen said, holding out his hand.
Toni paused for a moment as she stared at his outstretched hand, and then raising her eyes, she said, “I’ve got problems.”
Smiling, Stephen shrugged. “Don’t we all.”
“A lot of them have to do with men.”
“Understandable. Some of us are pains in the arse.”
Grinning, Toni said, “You’re not.”
“I’m not so sure about that. After all, you really don’t know me that well.”
“I think I know all I need to know.”
“Yeah?”
Toni’s eyes locked on Stephen’s, and taking a step closer, she wrapped her arms around him. Kissing him lightly on the cheek, she whispered, “I know I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you. I know you risked your own life to save mine, and I know...I know that the only reason you had for doing what you did was because it’s who you are...and I thank God for that.”
“Not switching sides, are you?” Peggy asked, waddling into the lounge.
With a laugh, Toni released her hold on Stephen, and blinking back her tears, she looked in Peggy’s direction. “Wouldn’t think of it.”
Peggy shuffled over, her face a wee bit rosier than it had been earlier and her eyes sparkling with humor. “After what Laura just told me, I don’t blame you.”
***
Gifts were exchanged and snacks were nibbled, and when the snow began to fall again, children and adults alike, scrambled for their boots and mittens.
Walking into the lounge, Nancy smiled at the disarray of Christmas. Bows were scattered here and there, and bits of ribbon littered the floor. Wads of wrapping paper having not yet met their demise in the hearth had been crammed into boxes, and toys assembled by frazzled fathers, waited for their owners to return.
“Here you go, sweetheart,” Nancy said, handing Peggy a cup of tea. “Are the boys still outside?”
Amused that her mother had grouped the young and old under one heading, Peggy chuckled. “Yes, but I’m not sure who was more excited about building a snowman, Stephen, Bill or the kids.”
“Don’t forget about Bernard. He seemed to have a bit of pep in his step also.”
“I think that had something to do with the fact that Myles can’t run very fast in the snow.”
“Yes, you’re probably right,” Nancy said with laugh.
Breathing in deep the aroma of turkey wafting through the house, Peggy said, “Dinner smells delicious.”
“Yes, it does,” Nancy said quietly.
“Do they need any help?”
“No, between Eleanor, Laura, Toni and Dorothy, they’ve got it all under control. Trust me.”
Staring at her mother for a moment, Peggy leaned a little closer. “You know you need to tell them.”
“Yes, but I don’t need to tell them today.”
“You were amazing yesterday,” Peggy said softly.
“Was I?”
“Yes. When they demanded to question everyone, and you picked up the phone and called the Chief Constable, I thought I was going to die.”
“Gordon was your father’s best friend, and after being married to a policeman for so many years, I know their procedures. I wasn’t pressing charges against Ron for the damage to my home. All I was doing was providing them with possible evidence, and until they get the test results and find Ron, this is all speculative anyway. There was no need to bring anyone else into this yet, and Gordon agreed. This isn’t about what Ron did to Toni. It’s about what that bastard did to all those poor women. So, if the blood evidence on the belt ties Ron to the victims, everything else is moot.”
“I hope so for Toni’s sake.”
“Me, too, sweetheart,” Nancy said with a nod. “Me, too.”
***
Late in the afternoon, they feasted on Christmas dinner, and while there was barely elbow room around the table, no one seemed to care. Over the years, Bill had spent many a Christmas dinner at his sister’s house, watching as his brother-in-law or his nieces’ husbands had served the Christmas turkey, so when Eleanor put the carving set in his hand, Bill couldn’t contain his smile. Proudly, he placed thick slices on plates as Eleanor spooned on piles of stuffing and passed around homemade cranberry relish. Glasses were filled and refilled with wines of both red and white as laughter filled the room, and the sounds of a family rejoicing in their new-found love for one another grew loud as they spoke of Christmases long since gone.
After one quick glance at Eleanor, Bill stood up and tapped his knife on a glass. “I’d like to propose a toast.”
The room went quiet, and while everyone reached for their goblets, Bill sorted out his thoughts. Looking around the table, his eyes stopped when they met Eleanor’s, and clearing his throat, he said, “I stand amongst you a man enlightened. Never in my dreams had I allowed myself to believe that I’d ever have my Eleanor’s love again, but I do…and I thank God for it. She has forgiven me for my blunders, my youthful arrogance, and most of all, for my stupidity.” Raising his glass, he said, “To the woman I love with all my heart, my dearest, Eleanor.”
Taking a sip, he waited until everybody else did the same, and then gazing at his daughter, he said, “To my Laura...” Stopping abruptly, Bill hung his head as he tried to choke back his tears. “Okay, this one is going to be a bit tougher, I think,” he murmured.
No one moved or said a word, but around the table, eyes grew moist.
Taking a deep breath, Bill looked up and gazed at the woman sitting at the other end of the table. “To my daughter, Laura,” he said, holding up his glass. “It’s so hard for me to believe that I had anything to do with you being in this world, because in my eyes, you are perfect...and I am most assuredly not. You are more than any father could ever hope for, and I love you with all my heart. I thank you for allowing me to become your father again, and I promise to never give you a reason to regret it.”
Bill smiled softly as his daughter wiped away a tear, and after taking a sip of wine, his eyes shifted to the woman flanked by Eleanor and Laura.
“Now we come to you, lass,” he said, his voice betraying him as it dropped into a shaky whisper. “As a man, I think myself strong, but I am weak compared to you. And not to speak out of turn, but I’m sure we all wonder how you survived...and I’m sure we all thank God it wasn’t us.
“At times, we complain about our lives, about our hard days at work or at home, but we have no idea what hard is...do we? Well, at least we didn’t until we met you.
“You’ve given us all a reason to cherish those we love. You’ve given us all a reason to complain a wee bit less about life’s troubles, and you’ve given us all a reason to raise our glasses to you...and to thank God for bringing you into our lives.”
Raising his glass, in a tear-filled breath, Bill said, “To Toni…for giving us a reason.”